The public is being consulted on the future of secondary education provision in Strood.

Medway Council’s Cabinet agreed to consult on proposals to merge Temple and Chapter Schools into a brand new academy - a first for Medway - at a meeting last month.

Anyone interested in giving their views can contribute to the consultation and there are 10 public meetings organised between October 11 and November 19.

The decision to consult on merging the two schools has been taken to deal with falling pupil numbers, concerns about standards over a period of time and the popularity of Temple School.

Chapter School is a successful and popular Business and Enterprise College, but takes a significant number of girls from outside Strood who can only be admitted because there are not enough girls in Strood to fill the places.

The vision is to replace the schools with a new academy with a brand new building and much improved facilities providing a wider range of academic and vocational courses. There would also be enhanced sporting and IT facilities.

Academies are funded directly from government and through sponsorship and are recognised as currently the only realistic route to getting a brand new school.

Sponsorship is likely to be sought from local sources other than the private sector. The council will be a co-sponsor and will therefore have a greater degree of involvement in the academy.

Following consultation the council would need plans for an academy to be approved by government. Initial positive conversations with government education chiefs have prompted officers to recommend this course of action.

If agreed, the academy would be based on the site of Chapter School. Although an academy could officially be in place by September 2009, Temple students would not be able to move across to the Chapter site until all the buildings and facilities are in place.

This is likely to take some time. Until then the merged schools would continue to operate on two sites.

Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services Cllr Les Wicks, said: “One of the council’s main priorities is to give children the best start in life. We want all our young people to have access to first class facilities."

Medway Council's Director for Children's Services, Rose Collinson, added: "We would like everyone to tell us what they think about the proposals and how we can best provide leading edge educational opportunities for boys and girls in Strood that reflect the aspirations of students, their parents and the wider community.

"We want to ensure there are sustained and sustainable improvements in educational standards and ensure young people in Strood have the best possible chance to fulfil their potential."

Public Meetings:

11 October 2007

Temple School

Cliffe Road

Strood

7 to 8.30pm

15 October 2007

Cuxton Community Junior School

Bush Road

Cuxton

7 to 8.30pm

16 October 2007

Chapter School

Carnation Road

Strood

7 to 8.30pm

29 October 2007

Wainscott Primary School

Wainscott Road

Wainscott

7 to 8.30pm

6 November 2007

Civic Centre

Strood

12 noon to 8pm (drop in any time between these hours)

7 November 2007

Bligh Junior School

Bligh Way

Strood

7 to 8.30pm

8 November 2007

Gordon Junior School

Gordon Road,

Strood

7 to 8.30pm

14 November 2007

Chapter School

Carnation Road

Strood

7 to 8.30pm

15 November 2007

Sherwin Knight Junior School

Cedar Road

Strood

7 to 8.30pm

19 November 2007

Temple School

Cliffe Road

Strood

7 to 8.30pm